After an almost 20 year relationship with Main Street Mission (MSM), Dale Cohen accepted the position as director of the nonprofit in April when Marilyn Williamson, co-founder, stepped down from the position.

Cohen has been affiliated through various partnerships with the MSM almost since it opened in November 1994. Cohen became the operations manager in August of last year, and then the director.

Williamson said the MSM wanted to reorganize its infrastructure and asked Cohen to take over at the helm.

Even though there may be the director, don’t be surprised if Williamson answers the phone when you call.

“I’m still here,” Williamson said. “I’m just going to be more behind the scenes now. I’m really excited that Dale joined us and look forward to the future of the Main Street Mission.”

Cohen said he was asked to join the staff in order to bring main-stream business practices and management into the organization.

Cohen, who is working on his doctorate in archeology, runs a nonprofit in Dallas that procures medically related products and distributes them to those in need.

He has been involved in several archaeological digs, mostly in the area near Galilee in Israel, and has managed a 200-250 person crew.

One of his first acts as director was to bring in Don Hall of Fort Smith as the chief financial officer to offer more financial accountability.

Cohen said anything that is given out as assistance or any type of purchases must be approved, not just by Cohen, but by Hall.

“We felt it was important for somebody without a lengthy history and ties to the Mission to come in with an unbiased view and a different outlook,” Campbell said. “There have also been some people that have been let go. We really want to move forward focusing on financial accountability and being a vital asset to the community.”

Cohen said he doesn’t want MSM to be seen as a nonprofit with its hand always out, but instead, one that partners with other agencies and offers viable services to the entire community, not just the indigent and homeless.

MSM offers life skill training now along with its other services of free meals, food boxes and other assistance.

Cohen said he has found the community to be welcoming and to really have heart for mission work.

“The River Valley community is a very generous community,” Cohen said. “The community has really gotten behind us before helping us with food drives. We ran out of food and the community was awesome with their response. We want to give back to the community and show our appreciation.”

Cohen said he has met with several other nonprofits in the area and local pastors and continues to ask the same question, “What can we do as a community to help the homeless and the hungry?”